Papers of John Adams, volume 21

Samuel Bayard Malcom to John Adams, 8 January 1797 Malcom, Samuel Bayard Adams, John

From Samuel Bayard Malcom

Sir Newyork Jany 8th 1797—

I have the honor to advise you of my arrival to this City on thursday last; the important news from Europe, furnished us on that day, by an arrival from France, you have e’re this received

The inclosed containing the speech of Governor Jay to our Legislature I have taken the Liberty to transmit for your perusal; from 530 the choice of the Council of appointment, we are made happy in the overthrow, of intrugue and the blighting of democratic exertion—1

I am preparing to depart for philadelphia tomorrow—and with respects to your Lady, I have the honor to Remain / Your Obt. Servt:

Sam B Malcom

RC (Adams Papers); internal address: “The President of the United States.”

Samuel Bayard Malcom (1776–1815), Columbia 1794, formally stepped in as JA’s private secretary in mid-February, but from 18 Jan., LbC’s in JA’s Letterbook begin to appear in his hand. The enclosure, not found, was John Jay’s 1 Nov. 1796 address to the New York State legislature commenting on a wide swath of domestic and foreign affairs. Jay honored George Washington’s presidential service and asked citizens to deliberate in the upcoming federal election with the “utmost Care and Circumspection” ( AFC , 10:249, 11:508; Jay, Selected Papers , 6:503–507).

John Adams to Francis Gardner, 11 January 1797 Adams, John Gardner, Francis

To Francis Gardner

Dear Sir Philadelphia January 11. 1797

I received this morning your favour of the 29th of last month inclosing The Rural Repository, in which are the Sentiments of Clericus on the Banks.1 His opinions are too well founded: and his Advice to young Candidates for the Ministry is sound and Salutary. One would think that the People of America had made Experiments enough, to have discovered the nature of Money by this Time. But it is too true that Experience is lost upon Mankind. The Errors of the Fathers are lost to the sons, and every Generation must repeat the same Follies. The Banks are too numerous and each one emits too much Paper. Credit at a Bank has been converted into trading Capital, and that Capital lost in England and France. Distress must ensue.

I have not yet heard of any Bill in Congress making Alterations in the Post Roads: if I should see any such Bill coming forward I will communicate your Observations upon the Subject to some of the members.

I thank you, Sir for the Pleasure you have given me in reading the inclosed Papers which I shall return with this.2

The Prospect before me, of which you Speak in terms of so much kindness and Friendship, is indeed Sufficient to excite very Serious Reflections. My Life, from the time I parted from you at Colledge has been a Series of Labour and Danger and the short Remainder of it, may as well be worn as rust. My Dependence is on the Understanding and Integrity of my fellow Citizens, for Support with submission to that benign Providence which has always protected this Country, and me, among the rest, in its service.

531

I shall always be glad to hear of your Welfare, and to receive any Communications from you for the Public good. I am sir with great Regard / your humble servant

John Adams.

RC (private owner, 1967); addressed: “The Reverend Francis Gardner.”

Rev. Francis Gardner (1736–1814), originally from Stow, Mass., Harvard 1755, was minister of the First Congregational Church in Leominster, Mass. ( Sibley’s Harvard Graduates , 13:603, 606). With his 29 Dec. 1796 letter, not found, Gardner enclosed an anonymous essay by Clericus, on the continuing economic crisis in France, that appeared in the Leominster Rural Repository, 11 February.

The enclosures have not been found.